National Fostering Contract Launched

October 20, 2008

The National Contract for Placement of Children with Independent Fostering Agencies was launched at this year's National Commissioning Conference, on October 3.

left to right- Claire Lazarus, representing the DCSF and supporting the development of the contract, Sue Brunton-Reed from Effective Training and Consultancy and Sally Melbourne from FCA

The contract has been initiated by the Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and is the latest in a suite of contracts.

Focusing on outcomes for foster children, a key element of the contract is a tracker tool which enables children's progress to be monitored and collated thus giving commissioners valuable information about which placements are meeting needs and improving outcomes.

The contract will ensure a consistent framework to use with all fostering providers and is based around the Every Child Matters agenda. The contract will enable the sharing of information and bring about consistency across the sector, ensuring a fair and transparent marketplace. It will be used by local authority commissioners and all providers in the foser care market.

The DCSF commissioned Sue Brunton-Reed from Effective Training and Consultancy to project manage the process with support from Sally Melbourne from Foster Care Associates Ltd. The development was overseen by a reference group comprising regional purchaser and provider representatives.

Consultation events were held that involved local authority commissioners, providers, children, young people, foster carers and their sons and daughters. Their views have informed the contract development.

At the launch event, Sue Brunton-Reed and Sally Melbourne hosted a workshop addressing introducing the key issues. The views of the young people were introduced as a 'Rap' written by the young people themselves.

Commenting Sally Melbourne said: "Throughout the development of the contract our focus has been very much on consultation with third parties. Listening to the views of foster children, foster carers and local authority commissioners is central to the contract and what it aims to achieve.

"Consistency across the independent fostering sector means a shared and uniform approach which in turn will help bring about greater transparency. Ultimately, it is about maximising positive outcomes by having a clear understanding of each foster child's needs and putting in place the right strategies to achieve this.

The National Fostering Contract has been project managed by Sue Brunton-Reed from the DCSF and reference group members comprising local authorities, independent fostering providers, foster carers and stakeholders.